A Taekwondo student traditionally wears a dobok (도복), a uniform that is usually white, symbolizing purity and tradition. Occasionally, students may wear black or other colored uniforms, particularly for special teams like demonstration or leadership teams, or for higher-level instructors. The dobok comes in two major styles: the ITF style with a cross-over front jacket, and the Kukkiwon/WTF style featuring a V-neck or Y-neck jacket without a cross-over. In Kukkiwon/WTF traditions, white uniforms are common, with black collars reserved for dan grades, while ITF-style uniforms feature a black border along the bottom of the jacket for higher-ranked students.
The color of the belt tied around the waist indicates the student’s rank. Belt colors and insignia can vary between schools, but in general, darker belts represent higher ranks. Taekwondo is typically practiced barefoot, although martial arts training shoes may sometimes be worn.
During sparring, students wear padded protective gear. In ITF-style sparring, only the hands and feet are padded, leading to light-contact sparring. However, in Kukkiwon/WTF sparring, full-contact sparring is common, with more extensive equipment including padded helmets (homyun), torso protectors (hogu), and additional protectors for feet, shins, groins, hands, and forearms.
Taekwondo practice takes place in a dojang (도장), which is the martial arts training area. The dojang often features padded flooring, with red-and-blue patterns reflecting the colors of the taegeuk symbol. Some dojangs have wooden flooring instead. The space is usually adorned with flags, banners, belts, instructional materials, and traditional Korean calligraphy, creating a culturally rich and motivating environment for students to train in.